The Indian Ocean Ship Sagar (IOS Sagar), a special initiative by the Indian Navy, has successfully completed its harbour and sea training at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi. After the training, the ship, along with its crew, has now set sail for Karwar.
This training program was designed for 44 international trainees from nine friendly foreign countries. The trainees learned important maritime skills such as basic seamanship, communication techniques, firefighting, damage control, and Visit Board Search & Seizure (VBSS) procedures. They also trained on advanced simulators, which helped them prepare for real-world challenges at sea.
The initiative followed the motto ‘One Ocean, One Mission’, promoting teamwork and collaboration among sailors from different countries. The Indian Navy has a long history of providing maritime training and has trained over 20,000 officers and sailors from more than 50 nations in various specialized courses.
The training was not limited to theory and simulation. The international crew also participated in practical sea exercises with the Indian Navy crew of INS Sunayna. This hands-on training was conducted by the Indian Naval Work Up Team to help trainees understand how the Indian Navy operates and to ensure smooth coordination in future joint missions.
The IOS Sagar initiative plays an important role in strengthening maritime cooperation between India and its partner nations. By working together, these countries aim to improve security, build trust, and enhance their capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The initiative reflects the Indian Navy’s commitment to regional stability and international collaboration in maritime affairs. (PR)